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Matthew 4:18-22

The Word of God

As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea--for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

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Andrew, together with his more famous brother Peter, is the first to be called by Jesus to follow him. This humble fisherman must have seen something very special in this man to make him immediately leave his nets, his livelihood, and follow him. What is Jesus’ call to me in this period of my life? I pray for the grace not to be deaf to his call but prompt and generous in my response to it.

Andrew was a member of that small yet amazing group of men who were ready to trust Jesus fully and obey his incredible command to take the Gospel to all nations. It is thanks to Andrew and his companions that we, and hundreds of millions like us, believe in Jesus. I stand in awe and thanksgiving before this man and his Master.

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Simon Peter and Andrew heard the voice of Jesus as he walked by; James and John, while at their work, heeded and responded. Jesus speaks to them, not in a time of retreat, meeting them at their work. What does it mean for me to work in a way that keeps me tuned in to a message that is for my salvation?

In their everyday tasks, the apostles saw metaphors for how they would be as disciples of Jesus. Are there ways God speaks to me in my ordinary chores? How might God address me in the language of my everyday?

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Today’s scripture tells us the story of how a call from the Lord changed the direction of the lives of the first disciples, who leave everything and follow him.

Can you recall events or occasions when you changed direction? For example, falling in love, being guided by a teacher or friend, a hurt or loss, great or small? These calls come to us throughout our lives and they can have a great effect on us. How we respond is what makes up our lives. We are the product of our decisions and we have a friend in the Lord who wishes to guide us.

Some thoughts on today's scripture

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This scene offers us a paradigm of the way Jesus calls each of us. Note that the initiative is entirely his. As we read in Mark 3:13: "He called to him those whom he wanted". Jesus wants you and me to follow him, not just as companions but as sharers in his mission. "I will make you fish for people". Christian spirituality is not simply about 'Jesus and me', but about 'Jesus, me, and those to whom he sends me'. Each of us is a fisher: a witness, a prophet, an evangeliser, a healer, a communicator of the good news.

What was it like for Andrew to hear his call? A mix of emotions? Delight in being singled out (we all want to be wanted!), but maybe a bit hesitant about leaving behind his means of livelihood? What is the cost of discipleship for me? Do I need to let go of anything?

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The call of the disciples is rooted in the call of Jesus, and this call is to change their lives for ever. The disciples are not only to hear the word of God but act on it. So the first disciples leave everything and follow Him. Jesus will go on to teach the disciples a new way of life, for they cannot be open to the work of God unless they have their ears opened by His word.

Your words are spirit Lord and they are life. Lord, teach us your ways, Lord you called those to come follow you just as they were, and leaving everything they did just that. Jesus you do not ask that we leave everything but just that we follow you in our daily walk through life, and with you to guide us how can we fail...

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Jesus recognises our skills: he takes them and redirects them to a higher cause, so that we can serve others through them. I ask to see that I have my personal mission, given me by Jesus. I am part of the Sacred Space network – good people who try to be Good News wherever they may be.

I pray: ‘Jesus, show me what I need to leave behind in order to be a good disciple. Do not let me fall far behind you and lose sight of you. Keep me close. Thank you for these times of prayer, and for inviting me to share a meal with you in the Eucharist.’